Classical Mechanics (Kibble & Berkshire) · Problem 4.32

Linear oscillations — T.W.B. Kibble, F.H. Berkshire

Physics — Mechanics · circular-motion-mass-spectrograph

Problem

Mass spectrograph A stream of particles of various masses, all carrying the same charge ee, is moving along the xx-axis in the positive xx-direction. When the particles reach the origin they encounter an electronic `gate' which allows only those particles with a specified speed VV to pass. These particles then move in a uniform magnetic field B0B_0 acting in the zz-direction. Show that each particle will execute a semicircle before meeting the yy-axis at a point which depends upon its mass. [This provides a method for determining the masses of the particles.]

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